France Pursues "Weapon Vehicle" Near Jewish Synagogue and Evacuates Hundreds

SadaNews - The French police found a vehicle containing weapons and ammunition in Sarcelles, north of Paris, where a large number of Jews reside. A bomb disposal operation was carried out on Saturday evening, resulting in the evacuation of about 300 people.

The anti-terror prosecution office (PNAT) announced to the French Press Agency on Sunday that an investigation has been opened "on charges of terrorist conspiracy with the aim of preparing crimes against individuals, and transporting, possessing, and acquiring weapons" in light of a "terrorist act".

The prosecution office clarified that it took over the case after discovering "weapons and ammunition in a parked vehicle in Sarcelles on Saturday".

Interior Minister Laurent Nunez previously explained in televised statements that the vehicle spotted by domestic intelligence "was not found in the immediate vicinity, but near" a Jewish synagogue in the city, which has a significant number of Jewish temples.

Nunez mentioned, "We do not know the motives yet," adding that no suspects have been identified so far.

A source familiar with the investigation indicated that the report from the General Directorate of Internal Security regarding the suspicious vehicle also noted that the Jewish community was a potential target.

Mois Kahloun, the president of the Jewish community in Sarcelles, stated, "At this stage of the investigation, there is nothing to confirm an attack on the Jewish community." A police source added, "We are investigating all leads," mentioning that surveillance of sensitive sites in Sarcelles and its surroundings has been "increased".

On Saturday evening, a security cordon was imposed around the vehicle identified by the authorities as suspicious, which was parked in a crowded area near a cinema and restaurants in this city with a population of around 60,000.

A police source reported that about 300 people were evacuated during the bomb disposal operation, which lasted nearly two hours.

After bomb experts concluded that there were no explosives, it was found, according to a police source, that the vehicle contained an assault rifle and a pistol, which the Interior Minister described as a "war weapon".

A police source confirmed that the assault rifle and pistol were loaded and stored in the vehicle's trunk. Laurent Nunez stated on Sunday that since the beginning of the year, "three attacks" have been thwarted.